Mackinac Island

My parents had told me about Mackinac Island years ago after completing their “lighthouse tour” of Michigan.  Mackinac is everything they shared and more.  From the time we docked in front of the Victorian lakeside homes, we were enchanted. 

With no automobiles on the island, all transportation is horse-drawn carriage, bicycle or pedestrian.  The only way onto the island is by boat, either ferry or private vessel.  The land of fudge and horses, hence the two scents associated with the island. 

We spent two days on the island, one exploring the town and one exploring the park.  Day one included a delicious lunch at the famous waterfront Pink Pony and poking into the many fudge and clothing shops along the main strip.  We strengthened our fall wardrobe and enjoyed ice cream.  We walked to The Grand Hotel, boasting the longest front porch in America.  With rooms starting at $1,000 per night, we settled for a cocktail at the wine bar, took a carriage “taxi” back to the marina and slept aboard Stealaway!

We had been warned about the rocky ride at the marina due to the numerous ferries and the position of the marina.  We put on extra lines just to be safe.  True to the warnings, the wind, waves (and a thunderstorm thrown in for good measure) rocked us terribly all night.  We did break a dock line, so the extra caution paid off!

Day two started with a hearty breakfast at the Pancake House, followed by some souvenir shopping.  In the afternoon, we took a 3-mile hike through the state park, starting along the shoreline to see The Arch and Sugarloaf Rock.  Our loop walk continued past old cemeteries, through Fort Mackinac and eventually back to the marina with elevated views of the town and lake beyond. 

Our Island stay ended with a Looper dinner gathering at a bistro overlooking the lake.  Fourteen Loopers sharing cocktails, dinner and stories, then one last stop for ice cream on the way back to the marina😊

Back in the USA

After leaving Cockburn Island, we crossed the “invisible line” that separates the Canadian and U.S. waters.  We stopped at Drummond Island Yacht Haven to pump out and clear customs.  Once again, the horror stories were proven false as our clear-in was done via video chat on an I-pad kiosk.  It was a 10-minute process that had no resemblance to the rumors one hears.

Our plan was to spend one night at Drummond to re-provision and do laundry.  Dayle, on Alittle Loopy, arranged for a loaner car from the marina so we could provision and go to dinner.  The following morning, Dayle requested that we stay an extra day so that he could “polish” his fuel.  He had gotten some bad fuel and the resulting algae was clogging filters and intakes causing his engine to stall at very inopportune moments.  We agreed, (after all, it was prime rib night at the town restaurant) and Dayle arranged for the extra night at the marina and loaner car for dinner.

We spent the day removing fuel lines, changing filters and polishing fuel.  Bev and Jan went into town to do some shopping.  When it came time for dinner (prime rib time!), we got to the car and the keys were gone.  The marina was closed; walking to the restaurant was not an option due to the distance, wind and cold.  With no Uber, Lyft or taxi available, options were limited.  But, with our pallets prepped for prime rib, NOT going was also not an option. 

By this time, we were joined by Ed and Kathy on Vitamin Sea, so the six of us scoured the parking lot for a car with keys in it.  We found a Jeep Cherokee with keys in the ignition and commandeered it for our trip to the restaurant, laughing about going to jail (at least with a full stomach)!  After dinner and a stop for ice cream, we returned the car under the cover of darkness.  We did learn the next morning that the Jeep was one of the marina’s loaner cars; no jail time this week!

One of the biggest surprises for me is the clarity of the water in Lakes Huron and Michigan.  It is as clear and blue as the water in the Caribbean.  Given the high sand banks of the Michigan coast and the clear water, you could almost believe you were there.  That is, until you jump in!  Cold and no salt.  Swimming and bathing in the lake is now out of the question.  There will be more marina stays for showers as we progress down Lake Michigan😊

Tribute to Alittle Loopy

We have found the best marina ever on this Great Loop!  She’s a mobile marina and her name is Alittle Loopy.**

She drops anchor wherever we want to spend the night and we just raft up to her and tie off to her cleats.

She supplies us with ice, fresh veggies, repair parts (and sometimes labor), free internet, a sundeck for cocktails and free popcorn!  What more can you ask??

Not sure what this is going to cost us but it sure is convenient!

**Actually, Alittle Loopy is a 31’ Ranger Tug from Maryland.  We met her crew, Jan & Dayle, in Trenton, Ontario and started traveling together in Peterborough on the Trent-Severn Waterway.  Over the last 7 weeks, we have become good friends.  It’s been great traveling with a buddy boat on this grand adventure; we will surely miss them when we part ways this fall!